From Russia, with love

We've made it to Russia! I woke up this morning, opened the blinds, and there was a guy just outside the window walking his dog on the island we were passing very closely by. We haven't had to worry about changing by the window for days! We docked at 8am and were let off the ship around 9:30. The city is absolutely gorgeous. Our docking place is pretty far up the Neva River, so we had amazing views of the skyline and some major buildings on our way in.

The Neva River in the morning

St. Petersburg from the ship

We took a combo walking tour and visit to the Hermitage Museum/Winter Palace trip this morning through Semester at Sea. It was a great way to start to see the city and orient ourselves. The Winter Palace was beyond opulent, but my favorite part was probably that the security guards in the museum rooms were very polished babuskas (old women) in full makeup and clutching their purses. At least, it was my favorite part until one rushed up to me and started yelling at me in Russian. Apparently she thought I was going to either touch the painting or use my flash, neither of which I had any intention of doing.

Security guard babushka on duty.

The Gold Room

Church of our Savior on Spilled Blood - aka, the Dr. Seuss Church. The domes are blue and green!

It's really difficult being somewhere where not only do you not speak the language, but you also don't even know the alphabet. I'm working on figuring out the Cyrillic/English equivalents but it's tough. Hopefully we can figure a bit more out in the next three days that we're here.

Jason's taking a nap now and I'm thinking of following his lead. It's hard work being on land!!

Things Spotted at Sea

Water. Lots of it.
Ships. Lots of them.
Jellyfish. Lots of them.
Oil rigs.
A German submarine! (apparently this is pretty rare, even the crew was taking pictures!)
Wind turbines.

Bridges connecting Denmark to Sweden.
Annnnd....
Natalie McManus!

We Set Sail

At 5 pm this afternoon (London time) we set sail, and now we’re walking around the boat like drunken sailors. The seas are very calm, but it’s hard to get used to even the slight rocking! It is pretty cool to look out the window and see the ocean going by.

Nothing else much to report. The students arrived today and there’s an excitement on the ship that’s palpable. It’s a bit like the first day of school crossed with a zoo and all taking place on a ship.

 Sunset in Southampton

 

Jason was really excited to set sail! They gave us balloons to hold for the 50th anniversary celebration, but the wind meant we just kept hitting each other in the face.

Ahoy, mateys!

We made it to the ship in one piece (well, two pieces since there are two of us).

Behold, the honeymoon suite!

We’re actually quite pleasantly surprised by the amount of space in our room, especially the amount of storage. We also have a wonderful big window – we aren’t even moving yet but the tide is so strong in Southampton that there are lots of waves. 

The rest of the ship is gorgeous and has everything we could need. There’s a big library, a spa (Jason will be spending lots of time there, of course), several dining options, very nice classrooms, a fitness room, and a fenced-in volleyball/basketball court. 

Orientation started today and continues tomorrow. Lots of information to absorb with plenty more to come. The highlights of the day were boarding the ship and eating our first meal on the back deck, looking over the harbor. We’re incredibly excited to keep going! 

 

Greetings from Across the Pond!

Hello from London! We've had a wonderful two days here so far - the weather has been perfect (upper 70s and sunny) and we've packed a lot in. Yesterday we staved off exhaustion and visited the beautiful Regents Park, checked out the local grocery stores, and ate some delicious food, including fish and chips for Jason. The biggest challenge was managing not to get run over by cars circulating on the opposite side of the road from what we're used to. Jason is getting the hang of it, my life is still in the balance.

In Regents Park

This morning we joined a free tour of the major sights - Buckingham Palace, the changing of the guards, St. James's Palace, Trafalgar Square,Westminster Abbey, and the Houses of Parliament/Big Ben. We learned a lot - there are pigeon-eating pelicans in one of the parks! there are very few trash cans in central London because the IRA used to blow them up! British people say things are "mental" (crazy) or "brilliant" (good)! - and were pretty beat after since it lasted three hours. But we pushed on to the British Museum, one of the largest museums in the world with 8 million works. We saw mummies (and mummified cats - we miss you Ricky and Lucy!), huge statues, the Rosetta Stone, ancient coins, and lots more. Jason's favorites were the ancient Egyptian sculptures and reading the very brief histories of world civilizations.

Ohio people, does this chicken remind you of the one on Route 127? We thought so! It is in front of the National Gallery in Trafalgar Square, and anything can go on the podium as long as it doesn't have to do with war. So giant blue chickens are a-ok.

 British Museum Great Court

Photo bombed by an Egyptian

For dinner we hit up an all-vegetarian Indian buffet, then went to a free comedy show. We thought we were in trouble since it was political comedy (the guy's show was called "Night of the Living Tories") but although we didn't get specific references, the general ideas and jokes were totally relevant to US culture and politics too. It was a great way to understand some contemporary British political thought and learn some new British slang. 

Tomorrow we head to Southampton to meet the Semester at Sea faculty and staff and begin orientation. Thursday we move in to the ship!

Cheers,
Ashley and Jason

Where in the World are Jason and Ashley?

If you find yourself wondering where we are in the next four months, you can refer to the handy-dandy list to the right >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Officially, the Fall 2013 Semester at Sea voyage covers 115 days, 17 cities, and 15 countries, all centered around the Atlantic Ocean. Of those countries, I've previously been to six of them (England, Germany, France, Spain, Argentina, and Brazil) and Jason has been to two (Spain, Argentina). However, in Germany, France, Spain, and Brazil we'll be visiting different cities and regions than where we were before, so a whole lot of this experience will be totally new for us (not to mention the part where we live on a boat!).

We can also travel to other cities in the countries we visit, and occasionally we have the chance to travel from one port city to another by land instead of sea. When we dock in Antwerp we're planning to travel by train to Gent, Brugge, and Paris before taking the train to Le Havre, France where we will meet and re-board the ship. We'll probably do something similar in Portugal/Spain, Ghana, and Brazil.

People keep asking me which countries I'm most excited to visit and my answer changes every day. Russia, Morocco, South Africa, Brazil, and Cuba are probably my top picks, although there are things I'm looking forward to in every country. Jason is most excited about being in the middle of the ocean and unable to see land! That's probably the part that makes me most nervous! Country-wise he thinks he's most excited for our three stops in Africa. However, past voyagers have told us that it's often the countries you're not as excited about that totally surprise you and become your favorites, so ask us again in December!

Detailed Itinerary

	Arrive/Depart	Date	Time
Southampton (London), England
Port of Southampton Ocean Gate, Atlantic Way	Depart	August 24	17:00
Saint Petersburg, Russia
Port of St. Petersburg Gapsalskaya Str.	Arrive	August 29	08:00
	Depart	September 1	20:00
Hamburg, Germany
Port of Hamburg Bei den St. Pauli-Landungsbrücken	Arrive	September 5	08:00
	Depart	September 8	20:00
Antwerp, Belgium [*]
Port of Antwerp Entrepotkaai 1	Arrive	September 12	08:00
	Depart	September 14	15:00
Le Havre, France [*]
Port of Le Havre Terre-plein de la Barre	Arrive	September 15	08:00
	Depart	September 16	20:00
Dublin, Ireland
Dublin Port Alexandra Road	Arrive	September 20	08:00
	Depart	September 23	20:00
Lisbon, Portugal [*]
Port of Lisbon Rua General Gomes Araújo	Arrive	September 27	08:00
	Depart	September 28	20:00
Cadiz, Spain [*]
Port of Cadiz Bay Pza. de España, 17	Arrive	September 30	08:00
	Depart	October 1	20:00
Casablanca, Morocco
Port of Casablanca Boulevard Moulay Abderrahmane	Arrive	October 3	08:00
	Depart	October 6	20:00
Takoradi, Ghana [*]
Port of Takoradi Harbour Road	Arrive	October 15	08:00
	Depart	October 16	20:00
Tema (Accra), Ghana [*]
Port of Tema Eastgate Road	Arrive	October 17	08:00
	Depart	October 18	20:00
Cape Town, South Africa
Port of Cape Town Duncan Road	Arrive	October 26	08:00
	Depart	October 30	20:00
Buenos Aires, Argentina
Port of Buenos Aires Av Tomás A. Edison	Arrive	November 12	08:00
	Depart	November 16	20:00
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil [*]
Port of Rio de Janeiro Av. Rodrigues Alves, 10	Arrive	November 20	08:00
	Depart	November 22	20:00
Salvador, Brazil [*]
Port of Salvador da Bahia Avenida da Franca	Arrive	November 25	08:00
	Depart	November 27	20:00
Havana, Cuba
Port of Havana Avenida Del Puerto	Arrive	December 9	08:00
	Depart	December 11	20:00
Fort Lauderdale, FL, United States
Port Everglades Eisenhower Blvd.	Arrive	December 16	08:00

[*] When the ship repositions to a different port in or near the same country, it is considered an overland port. This means that participants have the option of traveling with the ship as it repositions or staying in-country for the entire span of scheduled time. Overland ports for this voyage are: Antwerp / Le Havre, Lisbon / Cadiz, Takoradi / Tema (Accra), Rio de Janeiro / Salvador

Other Events

• May 29
  Fall 2013 – Course Registration
• June 10
  Fall 2013 – Field Program Registration Opens
• August 23
  Fall 2013 Bon Voyage Reception
• September 7 [14:00]
  Open Ship & Alumni Reception – Hamburg, Germany
• October 20
  2013 Founders Week
• October 24
  Fall 2013–Parent Trip to South Africa

- See more at: http://www.semesteratsea.org/voyages/fall-2013/calendar/#sthash.8TV27tXp.dpuf

Detailed Itinerary

	Arrive/Depart	Date	Time
Southampton (London), England
Port of Southampton Ocean Gate, Atlantic Way	Depart	August 24	17:00
Saint Petersburg, Russia
Port of St. Petersburg Gapsalskaya Str.	Arrive	August 29	08:00
	Depart	September 1	20:00
Hamburg, Germany
Port of Hamburg Bei den St. Pauli-Landungsbrücken	Arrive	September 5	08:00
	Depart	September 8	20:00
Antwerp, Belgium [*]
Port of Antwerp Entrepotkaai 1	Arrive	September 12	08:00
	Depart	September 14	15:00
Le Havre, France [*]
Port of Le Havre Terre-plein de la Barre	Arrive	September 15	08:00
	Depart	September 16	20:00
Dublin, Ireland
Dublin Port Alexandra Road	Arrive	September 20	08:00
	Depart	September 23	20:00
Lisbon, Portugal [*]
Port of Lisbon Rua General Gomes Araújo	Arrive	September 27	08:00
	Depart	September 28	20:00
Cadiz, Spain [*]
Port of Cadiz Bay Pza. de España, 17	Arrive	September 30	08:00
	Depart	October 1	20:00
Casablanca, Morocco
Port of Casablanca Boulevard Moulay Abderrahmane	Arrive	October 3	08:00
	Depart	October 6	20:00
Takoradi, Ghana [*]
Port of Takoradi Harbour Road	Arrive	October 15	08:00
	Depart	October 16	20:00
Tema (Accra), Ghana [*]
Port of Tema Eastgate Road	Arrive	October 17	08:00
	Depart	October 18	20:00
Cape Town, South Africa
Port of Cape Town Duncan Road	Arrive	October 26	08:00
	Depart	October 30	20:00
Buenos Aires, Argentina
Port of Buenos Aires Av Tomás A. Edison	Arrive	November 12	08:00
	Depart	November 16	20:00
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil [*]
Port of Rio de Janeiro Av. Rodrigues Alves, 10	Arrive	November 20	08:00
	Depart	November 22	20:00
Salvador, Brazil [*]
Port of Salvador da Bahia Avenida da Franca	Arrive	November 25	08:00
	Depart	November 27	20:00
Havana, Cuba
Port of Havana Avenida Del Puerto	Arrive	December 9	08:00
	Depart	December 11	20:00
Fort Lauderdale, FL, United States
Port Everglades Eisenhower Blvd.	Arrive	December 16	08:00

[*] When the ship repositions to a different port in or near the same country, it is considered an overland port. This means that participants have the option of traveling with the ship as it repositions or staying in-country for the entire span of scheduled time. Overland ports for this voyage are: Antwerp / Le Havre, Lisbon / Cadiz, Takoradi / Tema (Accra), Rio de Janeiro / Salvador

Other Events

• May 29
  Fall 2013 – Course Registration
• June 10
  Fall 2013 – Field Program Registration Opens
• August 23
  Fall 2013 Bon Voyage Reception
• September 7 [14:00]
  Open Ship & Alumni Reception – Hamburg, Germany
• October 20
  2013 Founders Week
• October 24
  Fall 2013–Parent Trip to South Africa

- See more at: http://www.semesteratsea.org/voyages/fall-2013/calendar/#sthash.8TV27tXp.dpuf

Packing It In

Since my last post two more exciting things have happened. First, we got married again (sort of) by having a reception in Ohio for all of our family out there that couldn't make the trip to Philadelphia.

Then we found out that Jason passed the third and final exam to become a CFA charter holder! The tests are extremely difficult and passing rates are below 50%, so I'm incredibly proud of him.

Now we're four days from our departure for London and trying to figure out how to pack for four months of living on a ship and exploring both the northern and southern hemispheres. The temperature in the countries we're visiting will likely range from 55-85 degrees, so while there's no need for a very heavy jacket we will want lots of layers. Additionally, clothes should be relatively wrinkle proof and need to be able to stand up to the ship's industrial washer and dryer. I've learned from my previous experiences never to take my favorite clothes on international trips! We also need to pack school supplies, toiletries, lots of bug spray, cameras, computers, snacks, malaria medications, and our passports and other documentation, of course.

Any ideas on what we might be forgetting? It's not as if we can swing by and pick something up if we leave it behind!

Ch-ch-ch-changes

So we've gotten married....

I've defended my dissertation and graduated with a Ph.D....

And now....?

Semester at Sea!

Semester at Sea is a study abroad program that is unique in that students travel to many countries while living and studying on a converted cruise ship. I have been hired to teach Spanish and do other assorted academic tasks on the ship. Classes are held while we sail from port to port; in each country we have free time to explore at our own pace. Jason will be my "slacker spouse," meaning that he has no official position on the ship. However, he will still be working part-time for his company in Charlottesville and he has signed up to take courses about public health and world cities. I'm sure I can come up with tasks for him if he gets bored.

We're hoping to use this blog to share our experiences and keep in touch as we travel the Atlantic from mid-August until mid-December. Our trip encompasses England, Russia, Germany, Belgium, France, Ireland, Portugal, Spain, Morocco, Ghana, South Africa, Argentina, Brazil, and Cuba, so we're sure to have some adventures!

• Embark: Southampton (London), England
• Saint Petersburg, Russia
• Hamburg, Germany
• Antwerp, Belgium *
• Le Havre, France *
• Dublin, Ireland
• Lisbon, Portugal *
• Cadiz, Spain *
• Casablanca, Morocco

• Takoradi, Ghana *
• Tema (Accra), Ghana *
• Cape Town, South Africa
• Buenos Aires, Argentina
• Rio de Janeiro, Brazil *
• Salvador, Brazil *
• Havana, Cuba
• Debark: Fort Lauderdale, FL, United States

Apply Now! Register as a

- See more at: http://www.semesteratsea.org/voyages/fall-2013/#sthash.BJ0HYjhw.dpuf